Gulf Islands National Seashore
Designation: National Seashore
Location: Florida, Mississippi
📘 Park Overview
Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with us today!
🌤 Weather Information
Weather along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico can change quickly. During the winter temperatures range from 40-70 degrees fahrenheit, rain is less common than other seasons. Snow and freezing temperatures are not common. During the summer temperatures range from 70-100+ degrees fahrenheit. Rain is common during the summer with many thunderstorms. Hurricanes impact the area during the tropical storm season between June and November. Tornadoes can impact the area during the Spring and Fall.
🚗 Directions
Gulf Islands National Seashore is a place of myriad riches - blue-green, sparkling waters, magnificent white beaches, and fertile coastal marshes. Its 13 areas include historic forts, shaded picnic areas, trails, and campgrounds. From Cat Island, Mississippi, it stretches eastward 160 miles tot he Okaloosa Area east of For Walton Beach, Florida.
Images
A National Park Service ferry navigates the Pensacola Bay to Fort Pickens.
Credit: NPS/Doggrell
Fort Barrancas and Spanish Water Battery sit on Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Credit: NPS/Doggrell
Fort Massachusetts sits on Ship Island in the Gulf off Mississippi.
Credit: NPS/Bernstiel
The Santa Rosa Area is the stech of beach between Navarre and Pensacola Beach. There is a fee area called Opal Beach.
Credit: NPS/Doggrell
The maritime forest sits on the Santa Rosa Sound in the Naval Live Oaks Area, fee free area in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
Credit: NPS/Doggrell
Davis Bayou is a fee free area in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Home to beautiful nature area.
Credit: NPS/Breault
Perdido Key Area is a fee area featuring 7 crossovers, 2 pavilions, and 4 parking lots on the Gulf and Sound.
Credit: NPS/Wade
A National Park Service ferry navigates the Pensacola Bay to Fort Pickens.
Credit: NPS/Doggrell
Fort Barrancas and Spanish Water Battery sit on Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Credit: NPS/Doggrell
Fort Massachusetts sits on Ship Island in the Gulf off Mississippi.
Credit: NPS/Bernstiel
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Saturday, Sep 26
Sunny
High: 80.7°F | Low: 74°F
Humidity: 63%
Wind: 8.9 mph
Rain Chance: 7%
UV Index: 8.5
Sunrise: 06:39 AM
Sunset: 06:41 PM
Moon: Full Moon (99%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 70.3°F
Cloud Cover: 7%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, Sep 27
Overcast
High: 85.1°F | Low: 77.5°F
Humidity: 61%
Wind: 11.6 mph
Rain Chance: 17%
UV Index: 7.5
Sunrise: 06:40 AM
Sunset: 06:39 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (96%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 74°F
Cloud Cover: 17%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Monday, Sep 28
Sunny
High: 82.9°F | Low: 77.2°F
Humidity: 60%
Wind: 9.6 mph
Rain Chance: 3%
UV Index: 7.7
Sunrise: 06:41 AM
Sunset: 06:38 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (91%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 72.5°F
Cloud Cover: 3%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Ship Island Excursions Ferry Service to Ship Island
Join a National Park Service ranger on a one-hour Ship Island Excursions ferry ride to Ship Island where you can have access to ranger-led programs in Fort Massachusetts and a private swim beach.
The swim beach is a quarter of a mile walk on a boardwalk from the fishing pier. There is very little shade on the island and no transportation. Food and umbrellas are for purchase at an additional cost on the swim beach.
No pets are allowed on the ferry. Fishing is only permitted on the sound side beach.
Location: Port of Gulfport ferry pier.
Date: Mar 14, 2026 12:00am to Oct 31, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Pensacola Bay City Ferry Service to Fort Pickens
Join a park ranger on a National Park Service ferry ride trip from Pensacola to Gulf Islands National Seashore's Fort Pickens Area then to Pensacola Beach.
Once you arrive at Fort Pickens if you choose to get off, you will have a either 2.5 hours or 5 hours to recreate and enjoy the historic fortifications, private beaches, bike paths, fishing pier and visitor center.
Ferry departure times from Fort Pickens to Pensacola Beachthree times a day.
Date: Mar 14, 2026 12:00am to Nov 28, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Adventure Through Davis Bayou: Ranger Led Hike
Join a park a park ranger on hike and interpretation of the local area. Topics include bayou, alligator, or medicinal plants. Meet at the William M. Colmer Visitor Center in Mississippi.
Location: Visitor center in Mississippi
Date: May 1, 2026 12:00am to Oct 31, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Civil War Trunk
Drop-in to learn about Fort Pickens during the Civil War.
Location: Inside Fort Pickens
Date: May 1, 2026 12:00am to May 1, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Seashells (and a Murder Mystery) on Ship Island
Join a ranger for a guided beach walk and presentation on Ship Island in Mississippi and learn about what marine life reside in your favorite seashells and help solve the murder mystery of how the empty shells you collect came to be unoccupied. This is a walk up style event on Ship Island swim beach.
Location: Meet on Ship Island swim beach on Ship Island in Mississippi. Only accessible by boat.
Date: May 1, 2026 12:00am to Oct 30, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Guardian on the Gulf
Fort Pickens has stood on the Gulf Coast for over 190 years. Join a guide for a 30 minute talk to learn about this famed brick-and-mortar fortification and the people who lived and served within its storied walls.
Note: Talks are accessible to people with special needs. Programs are subject to change and/or cancelation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Location: Meet inside Fort Pickens in Florida.
Date: May 3, 2026 12:00am to May 30, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
The Spanish Are Coming! (FL Program)
The northern Gulf Coast is rich with stories about the American Revolution! To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, join a guide for a 30 minute talk to learn about the forgotten people, places, and events that shaped the founding of the United States of America.
Note: Talks are accessible to people with special needs. Programs are subject to change and/or cancelation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Location: Meet inside Fort Pickens
Date: May 8, 2026 12:00am to Sep 27, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Coastal Curiosities
Discover the web of life on the northern Gulf Coast with this drop-in activity! Join a guide during this hands-on activity to see, touch, and learn how plants, animals, and humans have continuously adapted to the coastal environment.
Note: Talks are accessible to people with special needs. Programs are subject to change and/or cancelation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Location: Meet at Langdon Beach Pavilion before Fort Pickens. Parking lot 16A on the mobile app.
Date: May 8, 2026 12:00am to Jul 31, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Guardian on the Sound
Join us for a 45-minute walk through Fort Massachusetts located on Ship Island. Meet at the entrance to Fort Massachusetts. Ship Island is a barrier island located off the coast of Mississippi.
Date: May 18, 2026 12:00am to Jul 31, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
The Life of a Ship Island Soldier and The East Pascagoula Raid (Musket Program)
Meet a park ranger inside Fort Massachusetts to learn about the history of Ship Island and a living history demonstration.
Note: Loud and hearing protection is not provided. This program are accessible to people with special needs.
Location: Fort Masschusetts
Date: May 23, 2026 12:00am to May 23, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
🏤 Mailing Address:
1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
📞 Voice Phone: 850-934-2600
✉️ Email: guis_information@nps.gov